Intra-arterial infusion of PEGylated upconversion nanophosphors to improve the initial uptake by tumors in vivo

Abstract

An alternative method to the intravenous administration of upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) was highlighted by the use of an unconventional blood pathway, the artery. The uptake of NaYF₄:Yb,Tm@SiO₂ nanoparticles modified with polyethylene glycol (PEG-UCNPs) by MCF-7 tumors following intra-arterial (i.a.) injection was nearly three-fold higher than that obtained with intravenous (i.v.) injection. This result suggests a new method for administering UCNPs in vivo to achieve more efficient tumor targeting and therapy.